those who are sensitive to smells

[casey35]

I am very sentive to smells such as perfumes and cologne. Sometimes people perfumes and cologne and sometimes my own will make me ill. So looking for ideas on how to cope with this at the reunion.

[VuDu]

Hello casey

I sometimes have this problem going down certain aisles in the store. When I was pregnant, I could hardly walk by anyone with my heightened sense of smell without involuntarily gagging. I found it helpful to carry a handkerchief with me when I knew my nose was going to be assaulted, sprayed with a mild scent that was tolerable (and perhaps pleasant) to me.... reminiscent of the olden days when ladies carried them to cover up the smells of unwashed bodies.

It works to mask most scents. Not sure if that would work in your favor but it could be worth a shot.

Then again... you could always carry around a bottle of OUST lol

[Blade]

I'm sensitive to smells. My allergies started oh 25 yrs ago probably when I first moved here, and the first thing I noticed was I'd go into a sneezing fit over some perfumes but not others. The ladies at work would walk out at the end of the day still smelling like they just poured a bottle of Avon perfume on them before they left their machines. So as I'd walk into work I could still smell them and would sneeze for an hour. LOL

Amazingly with my allergies and sensitivities I still have a very keen sense of smell and smell the scent of people who have been in my life but are deceased, sometimes even people I don't know. I was talking to my ex one night and smelled cig smoke. She said who's is it I said I don't know, it smells like Marlboro and I don't know anyone who's died that smoked Marlboro's. She said my Daddy smoked them. Weird I know, but it happened. I pay extra attention to smells now and try very hard to stay away from smells I know will cause me problems.

[Blade]

Oh did I mention clothing stores. Some clothing stores, I guess the dye they use or so much newness in one place. I don't know but some clothing stores kill me over the dye smells.

[Andrew, Jr.]

I am with Blade. I have allergies, and am very sensitive to smells. However, I take allergy meds and take shots on a weekly basis. Now, that has lessened my sensitivities. Now, I am more aware of what is tolerable, and what is not. For example, I am a smoker. I love the smell of my cigars and pipes. I also enjoy the smells of a fire, and a freshly mowed lawn. Again, all of these are regards to what were once allergies for me.

I am really at a loss of what you can do to lessen your sensitivity to smells. Ask your doctor. Maybe he/she has some ideas.

Good luck!

Andrew

[casey35]

thank you people for the ideas. I never know when or what smells i have problems with it just hits me. I have bought new perfumes i have love the smell of to find out that they make me ill. which the only solutions was to take another shower. I do like the idea of a handkerchief. So those who met me at the reunion,do not take me as rude if i have to step away.

[VuDu]

I have had that happen a time or two (having to quickly step away). I am highly allergic to Patchoulli (sp?) as well as have reactions to Sandalwood. There have been moments where I have had to walk away from someone with a quickly murmured "excuse me", only to come back after my personal air has cleared and explained the situation.

I am always cognizant of how strong my (perfume/deodorant)scent presents itself because I work in the medical field, where we are not allowed to use them just for that very reason.

[cara]

I think working in a no-scent facility (our hospitals and administration offices are scent-free) for the past 8 years has made me hyper-sensitive to perfumes and smells. Although, now that I think about it, I have never been able to wear a scented deodorant and very, very few perfumes. The candle and detergent aisles at stores are the worst for me. However, I don't remember smells being a problem at the dash bash so you may be okay!



cara

[Miss Scarlett]

Originally Posted by Blade

Oh did I mention clothing stores. Some clothing stores, I guess the dye they use or so much newness in one place. I don't know but some clothing stores kill me over the dye smells.

Most likely it's the fabric finish rather than the dye.

[Blade]

Originally Posted by Miss Scarlett

Most likely it's the fabric finish rather than the dye.

ahhh well whatever it is it sets my nose on FIRE lol

[Miss Scarlett]

Patchouli is something I absolutely adore, but since it can be so overpowering I reserve its use for the great outdoors. I have sensitivities to some perfumes, especially heavy scents. Why do people insist on bathing in a heavy scent?

One thing I cannot tolerate at all is what I call smoker smell - their breath, dirty ashtrays and 3rd hand smoke - the odor that clings to smokers.

My signature fragrance is Moonlight Path from Bath & Body Works. It's a light, very feminine blend of musk, roses, violets and lavender.

[Miss Scarlett]

Originally Posted by Blade

ahhh well whatever it is it sets my nose on FIRE lol

I understand. This has happened to me on occasion but usually with perfumes or those nasty car air fresheners shaped like trees. Or my former employer's room temperature lunches that have been left out of the fridge for at least a day and she would eat this rotting mess! Oh lawd now I'm getting queasy at the memory...

[VuDu]

Originally Posted by Miss Scarlett

Or my former employer's room temperature lunches that have been left out of the fridge for at least a day and she would eat this rotting mess! Oh lawd now I'm getting queasy at the memory...

*gag*

[Leigh]

I'm not really allergic or sensitive to smells, but I have found that at times I have taken a whiff of whatever the smell is at the time and gone WTF thats strong!! I don't really wear anything smelly unless I'm going out with friends, and at that I only put on a little bit

[Niceguy]

Hey Casey!

I'm sensitive to certain scents too, but I don't remember having any problems at the bashes. Confined spaces such as planes, trains, and automobiles are usually where I have the most trouble! I'm thinking there should be enough room at the reunion for everyone to have their own personal space if needed.

[moxie]

I am not sure how sensitive your sense of smell is or if this would even work for you; however, for my job I often go into homes that smell unpleasant (not a perfume issue but a smoke/urine/rotting food/feces kind of smell). What works for me is either peppermint oil underneath my nose or Vicks Vaporub. I put it under my nose and that is all I can smell

[Kimbo]

I am very sensitive to smells. Heavy colognes can send me into an asthma attack. It was hell meeting my gay guy friends for a brew at the mens bar in the old days. Some smells can also cause me to have flashbacks. I also believe that certain familiar smells present to me to let me know someone is with me.

I don't remember having any issues at the - reunions that I've been to.

[AtLast]

Have to say that I am sensitive to many kinds of smells. If I am in a home that doesn't smell clean, I am the one that politely says no thank you to food or drink.

I honestly do have trouble with heavy perfumes or colognes, especially if someone has drenced themselves in one or the other. I sneeze, and sneeze... and sneeze!

I clean out my cat box at least 2 times a day.. yanno, just in case!

Probably a weird one is that I don't like the smell of mosts fruits. So, I buy fruit in very small quantities so I will just eat it fast. Have no idea why this is....

LOL, I'm big on airing out my home! If it isn't just terrible out, windows are opened! So is the screen door!

[Cyclopea]

I'm one of those annoying chem sens peeps. Lame huh? I would never tell anyone else what to do though. I just stay upwind, or avoid.

[Soft*Silver]

I gag and retch over the smell of vanilla. I actually like the smell of vanilla, I have discovered, but it is an involuntary response when I smell it

I also get light headed and naseaus when I smell Avon's rose perfume. Only Avons.

And Ralph Lauren's Blue makes me gag...associated with some really bad memories and tremendous hurt...

when I open a microwave and it hasnt been cleaned, the smell is overpowering to me...people say they cant smell it but oh yes I can....

and I can actually smell the smell of electronics working...again, not many people can smell the scent of a computer or a tv...but I can. its not a bad or good smell..just a smell...like, I can walk into the room and know the tv was on..and the kid was busted for watching tv and not studying like she said she was...lol

I can smell cat urine when I walk into a place and I dont mean litter boxes. I mean when cats spray in the house...even when people have sworn the cat doesnt have accidents...I can sniff around until I find where it has sprayed and show it to them. They couldnt smell it until I picked it out for them...

there are some hair products that also turn my stumach...especially if they are not on clean hair. I dont like sloth and poor hygiene...


And there is something about small pet stores. I go into a tunnel..is the only way I can describe it..and the place gets really small..I bet its how Alice felt when she fell thru the looking glass! And I get so sick I almost pass out. I am fine in petsmart...but small enclosed pet stores with critters other than fish will make me pass out if I am in there too long.


now for good smells...

I ADORE the scent of smoking. Oh Lord..Pipe..Cigar...cigarettes..in that order...and I love the taste of them in someone's mouth if I am kissing them...yeah..go figure...

leather makes my eyes roll back in my head...as does wood smoke on clothes or hair.

sweat of hard work is an aphrodisiac but not if its from poor hygiene and sloth

the smell of feed...grain, horse meal...gawd...soooo gooooodddd

the smell of horses..and the smell of horses on me or someone....I imagine heaven would smell like that...

Nag champa brings back so many past live memories....temples from long ago...arms that once held... and when I wear it, I draw people to me from that time period, that place. ...I know many dont believe in past lives but I have had way too many experiences of them to not....

lilacs...my mother's scent...and for some reason when people pick out candles to give me, they almost always give me a lilac one, long before they ever knew the connection...

new books...opening one for the first time

baby dolls...remember how they smelled????? Doesnt that make you go all squiggly inside? Like you are six again?

there is more but I will stop here...